Europa League Last 32

Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to start up front in the absence of Jermaine Defoe. Image courtesy of talksport.co.uk

Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon will both put unbeaten records in this season’s UEFA Europa League on the line when they meet at White Hart Line on Friday morning (AEST).

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will line up against the club he left less than six months ago when he turns out for Tottenham and is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead for his new teammates, having helped his former side to the French Cup last season. The Londoners cause will not be helped by the absence of striker Jermaine Defoe, with the England international sidelined after suffering an ankle injury in his sides 1-0 Premier League win against West Bromwich Albion at the start of the month. Fortunately for Spurs however, Emmanuel Adebayor should be ready to start up front after coming off the bench against Newcastle last weekend on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Lyon has won just three of its past eight League fixtures, but will be confident of turning things around in this competition having put together the best record of any team during the group stage. Remi Garde’s troops won five games and collected a draw from their other match in the opening stage of the competition and could recall Bafetimbi Gomis to the starting XI after the 27 year-old came off the bench in his side’s 3-1 defeat to Lille in Ligue 1 earlier this week. He is one of four Lyon players to have found the back of the net twice so far this season.

Spurs have faced a French club only once before in European competition, when securing their tie against FC Nantes on the back of a 1-0 home win in the 1971/72 UEFA Cup. Lyon has travelled across the channel on seven occasions for two wins, a draw and four defeats.